Hey all,

 

I'm wondering if anyone could advise me on this issue my Dad has. Basically my parents have a Citigo and my Dad has back issues. On long journeys he ends up being in severe pain as a result of the drive due to feeling the shock of bumps and dips from the road.

 

I'm guessing if they soften the suspension it may help this a little? What does anyone think of this idea? And how does one achieve it? Is it just a case of new springs? Sorry to sound a bit naive on this one...

 

Or, does anyone have any bright ideas on how to reduce the shock to the seat? My Dad thinks buying a new Fabia will fix the problem, but they genuinely can't afford it so I'm trying to help them in a slightly cheaper way.

 

Thanks all

J

I know it's all relative but I think the Citigo has a particularly soft and supple ride as standard - I have the Monte Carlo that rides on the lowered suspension but don't know if spring rates were altered. Rather than the ride is it not the seats? I find them comfortable but seats are a very personal choice.

As a long time sufferer myself I can only sympathise. The answer for me is to avoid driving long distances in one go. I try to stop every half hour or so and have a walk around. It's important to know how to 'stretch your back out' and if he's never had the opportunity get referred to a 'back school'. I swapped my Fabia when it was less than a year old because of over firm (for my liking) suspension and bought a Yeti instead. If anything I found the Fabia a lot bumpier than our Citigo.

 

I've found that it helps a lot to run the tyres slightly soft but only slightly, just 2 or 3 psi otherwise there'll be overheating and stability problems. (Now I'll duck my head to avoid the flack).

Thanks chaps, and I couldn't agree more tweeneter. I borrowed it to drive from Bristol to the north of Wales (no motorways) and personally I found it okay.

 

Longedge thanks for sharing that, much appreciated (and glad that you've found something that works for you). I have shared the info with Dad Do you ever tend to use any of those third party cushion/lumbar products on the market?

 Do you ever tend to use any of those third party cushion/lumbar products on the market?

I bought one some years ago and sold it some months later. It did me no good but that's not to say they don't help other people. I've had great relief in the past from acupuncture but always temporary and I find that mild excercise is as good as anything, well at really bad moments the gas and air that paramedics carry is magic .

Find a truck air suspension seat at a wreckers or www. Comfyseating.com

I bought one of these:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00GTSVZ9W/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B005FF6C5C&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0XSCW04QC7364SP5YJ8W

For use in my wife's Mii as I found the height difference compared to my Yeti was a bit extreme. Her drivers seat has height adjustment but not the passenger seat.

It's still a bit low but much more comfortable.

 

Fred

Crazy idea from the crazy man, if it's the greentech try and source some springs from a non greentech model, the greentech comes I believe 15mm lower than standard height 

I've always found my citigo fine although the rear suspension is very "crashy " over slight bumps. I believe the latest MY models have adjusted rear suspension to fix this.

I see that you are in Bristol.

 

It may be worth your while getting your Dad to have a look at BackInAction - as they have a branch in Bristol. This is the most relevant page on their website for your Dad.

 

4 months ago I could barely move - including struggling to get in and out of any car (including my Citigo), being in constant pain and taking ages to put on clothes - especially pants, trousers, socks and shoes.

 

I have a range of back problems - caused by playing sport and also bad posture/badly adjusted seating when working at a computer/laptop. I am married to a (now retired) physiotherapist and had more or less exhausted her ability to keep my back mobile and pain free.

 

I was already aware of the BackInAction Mobiliser product and decided to give it a try - initially via their assessment and free trial, followed by renting a unit for 2 months. The improvement was dramatic at first and then gradual. I am now pain free unless I have to stand for long periods and I can dress normally. 

 

I currently have CG-Lock fitted to my Citigo and use Sitting Partner on long journeys in the Citigo and whenever I drive my wife's Honda Jazz. Should my back problems return, I will definitely rent a Mobiliser again and maybe buy one if the economics dictate that it is financially wiser to do so. The total cost of the whole process was less than £500. Probably significantly cheaper than chopping in one car for another.

 

I am not associated with BackInAction in any way other than being a customer. I used the Marlow store - who were very helpful and did not "oversell" me any of their products. I have no experience of the Bristol Store but it will cost nothing to visit. 

What size wheels has it got? maybe slightly smaller with a bigger profile might help slightly. I found for it's class the Citigo to be a very good ride, there is a lot worse out there.

 

Other options would be to change to a softer damping set up (if there is even such a product on the market), but this will not be cheap, effect warranty and also have to inform your insurance company.

 

Most requests are for a sportier ride rather than a softer ride.

I get ache when switching between the wifes car and mine, i think sometimes your back gets used to youre own seat..

 

Anyway - another option, the citigo seat is just a thin metal sheet of springs like in a sofa. I see no reason you can't replace the seats with some nice comfy rover 800 beasties or a posher skoda even from a breakers yard.

 

a) it will be more comfy

it doesnt class as a modification on the insurance like changing the suspension.

 

A softer set of springs will also effect the chassis role; handling (cornering), braking and a bunch of things you don't want to disturb.

Managed to get out in my mum's Citigo to compare with mine this weekend. I could feel some difference between the SE on 14' steel wheels and my Elegance (greentec lowered suspension) on 15' wheels but I think the above advice is probably more relevant re back problems than the difference between the two. For what is is worth, I think the seat is better on the Citigo than in the Fabia or Rapid. I would resist swapping the car too prematurely but, if you do, just remember that an SE spec with steel wheels or any automatic with steel or standard 14' wheels will be slightly softer than a greentec or monti. I am not sure the Fabia I had on holiday this summer was any better or my previous Toledo/Rapid but, if you go for a Fabia, be careful not to go for big wheels.